Method of preparing carbonated beverages



J. KANTOR ETAL METHOD OF PREPARING CAR BONATED BEVERAGES Original Filed July 16, 1943 1 Vacuum Pump 3 Sheets-Sheet l .n-n-iii-i-in-T:

INVENT OR. JAMIE KAI/7'01? and. [DIV/1RD E R057VBRG Dec. 7, 1948. J. KANTOR ET AL 2,455,681

METHOD 'OF PREPARING CARBONATED BEVERAGES Original Fi led July 16, 194:5 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMES KA/VTOR And BY EDWARD f. ROSl/VBERG Dec. 7, 1948.

METHOD OF PREPARING CARBONATED BEVERAGES Original Filed July 16, 1943 3 Sheets-Shea? 3 Nixin Tan/6L Solenoid Valve Supply Line: J :l 1 Q j Wt Tn). M" Tni 52' 7k geifzy a Rgl a/y h aier Tani Syrup Tank So/enaid Valve So/enoid Valve .58

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METHOD OF PREPARING CABBONATED BEVERAGES James Kantor and Edward lklolcnberg. Chicago,

Ill., acslgnors to The Liquid Carbonic Corporation, Chicago. 111., a corporation of Delaware Original application July 10, 194:, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 24, 19, Serial No. 550,358

1- 4 C lairns. The present invention relates toimprovements in methods for preparing carbonated beverages prior to the bottlingof the same.

Heretofore. it has been almost' the general commercial practice. in preparing and bottling carbonated beverages, tomix the flavoring with a carbonated water in the bottles. In other words. it has been the general practice, heretofore, to deliver to the bottle or container for the carbonated beverage, a predetermined supply or quantity of flavoring syrup by one fllling machine and then by a second machine or by an adjunct fllling apparatus, deliver to the bottle or container suiflcient carbonated water to fill the container to proper level and to make the proper.

mix. While apparatus of this character has produced extremely satisfactory results. there are certain disadvantages to such a method. to-wit, the size of the machine or apparatus is materially increased and. furthermore, the syrup itself, having not been carbonated. will absorb a certain proportion of the C0: of the water and. as a result, the total CO: contained in the mix may be slightly reduced unless, of course, the carbonated water itself is more highly carbonated. However, to deliver a more highly carbonated water to the container to compensate for the absorption by the syrup is apt to render the water so lively that it is sometimes difficult to handle the same without creating foaming in the container and without materially slowing down the fllling process.

Furthermore, the mixing 'of the syrup and water in the container necessitates an additional means for agitating the container to insure a thorough mixing of the syrup and the water in the con-' tainer. which generally requires mechanism.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a method for thoroughly mixing the water and syrup prior to its delivery to the container and to properly carbonate themixed water and syrup prior to its delivery to the container, whereby a more satisfactory mixture of the materials may be obtained and whereby a more speedy handling and bottling of the carbonated beverage may be attained.

The present application is a division of our pending application Serial No. 494,972, flied July 16, 1943, in which an apparatus is described and claimed for carrying out the method claimed in the present application.

For the purpose of disclosing the invention and method, we have illustrated an apparatus in the accompanying drawings for carrying out the method of mixing the material. In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, certain of the parts being shown in full, of mechanism additional 2 which facilitates the performance of our im proved method:

Fig. 24s a plan view thereof;

Pig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the tanks, either the liquid or thewater tank; and V Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit arrangement of the apparatus for controlling theflow of material.

In the apparatus illustrated, a mixing tank 1 is provided, which is preferably of cylindrical shape, being closed at its 'top by a round dome 2 having a flange 3 bolted or otherwise secured to a flange i at the top of the tank I. The bottom of the tank is likewise closed by an inverted domeshaped bottom I having a flange 8 which is bolted or otherwise secured to a flange I on the bottom of the cylindrical section or portion i of the tank. Within this tank is arranged a preferably tubular or cylindrical column 8 which is mounted, at its lower end, with a neck 9 formed on the top ill of a spider Ii. The legs of this spider are provided with outturned flanges i2 which are clamped between the flanges 6 and 1. At the upper end of the column 8 is provided a plurality of d'rlp pans l3 and II, one arranged above the other, which surround the column but which, as at ii, are slightly spaced from the column. 7 Each pan is sustained in position by an annular ring it supported at the outer end of a pan l'l secured to the column and the ring it is located a slight distance within the upturned flange i8 of the pan.

At the bottom of the column is provided abaiile plate or pan II somewhat cup-shaped, being supported in the neck 9 of the spider member I l and outflow of liquid from the pan. C

The liquids to be admitted to the tank, are delivered through a valve nozzle ii in the top dome I which nozzle is provided with anannular skirt 23 and with a valve seat 24. Cooperating with this valve seat is a valve 25 carried on a float rod 2| extending through the column 8 and guided at its bottom end in a bearing 21 at the top of the spider 28 secured in the bottom dome 5. Carried by this float rod '26 is a float 29 which, when the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level. will rise and close the valve 25, shutting ofl further admission of liquids to the tank. A syrup tank 30 is supported from a bracket 3i secured to the flange l at the top of the tank, which syrup tank is adapted to contain a suitable supply of syrup to be delivered to the mixing tank i. A water tank 32, similar in construction to the syrup tank is supported on the opposite side of the mixing tank i by a bracket 33, likewise supported from the flange 4. The syrup tank 30 delivers. to the delivery nozzle 2i and into the therethrough. This pipe 35 delivers through a delivery orifice 28 in a coupling 39, which coupling has a second orifice 40 connected with a supply pipe 4| in turn connected to the water tank 32 through a calibrating valve 42 similar in construction and operation to the valve 35. The coupling 39 in turn communicates through a solenoid controlled valve 43 with the inlet nozzle 2|. It is to be noted that in each of the tanks the supply pipes 35 and 4| each has an extension 44 which extends almost to the bottom of the tank, as illustrated in P18. 3.

The water tank 22 is supplied with refrigerated water through the medium of a supply pipe 45 through a suitable solenoid controlled valve 48. The refrigerated water is supplied through this pipe 45 from a source under gravity or a low pump pressure and the supply delivered to the tank is slightly greater than the requirements of the filling unit to which the carbonated mixture is ultimately delivered. Likewise, the syrup tank 30 has syrup delivered to it through a supply pipe 41 which is provided with a solenoid controlled valve 48 and the syrup, like the water, is delivered through this supply pipe 41 under gravity or low pump pressure at a rate slightlygreater than required to accommodate the filling unit. For drawing the syrup and water into the mixing tank I, I create in this tank a partial vacuum through the medium of an exhaust tube 49 entering the tank in the dome 2 above the baiile skirt 23 and through a suitable gauge 50. This exhause pipe 49 is connected with a suitable vacuum pump for maintaining the proper degree of partial vacuum in the mixing tank I.

The mixing tank I is provided with a delivery opening 5| in the bottom dome 5 which communicates with a discharge pipe 52 connected to a suitable pump which delivers to the carbonating apparatus. The pump connecting with the pipe 52 creates a suction or partial vacuum substantially equal to the vacuum within the tank I so that the liquid will be delivered from the tank gravity pressure.

In the operation of the device so far as is described, water and syrup, as heretofore described, are delivered to the syrup tank 30 and the water tank 32. A vacuum is drawn in the mixing tank. The calibrated valve 36 is set to pass the desired quantity of the syrup and the calibrated valve 42 is set to deliver the predetermined quantity of'water, the respective quantities of water and syrup being determined by the proportion of syrup to water, ultimately desired. Under these conditions, the syrup and water will flow through their respective pipes 35 and M through the solenoid valve 43 and through the nozzle 2| into the dome 2 of the tank. As the water fails, it will drop into the top pan l1 overflowing over the annular flange l6 into the next pan l3, flowing out of this pan between the pan and the column 8 and into the next pan i3 and thence similarly overflowing into the pan l4 and then in a thin film down along the column 8. the syrup and water becoming thoroughly mixed during this flow. Eventually, the mixture will reach the pan l9, part of the same flowing out and over the top of the pan and part down through the escape openings 20 striking against the top ill of the spider and eventually flowing into the bottom of the tank to be discharged, as

4 heretofore described, through the discharge pipe 52. If, for any reason, the withdrawal of the mixed water and syrup from the tank is stopped or is so slow as to cause a backing up of the mixture in the tank, the float 2! will rise with the rise of the liquid level in the tank, ultimately closing the valve '25 and shutting of! further supply to the tank until the level drops.

The flowing of the water and syrup through the common inlet nozzle helps to mix the two liquids and the continued flow of the mixed liquids in the pans II, II, [4, and I! has a further tendency to mix the liquids, so that by the time they are delivered to the bottom of the tank, a thorough mixture of the syrup and water is accomplished. Due to the fact that the mixed syrup and water flows in a thin film over the column 8, a more thorough deaeration of the mixture is accomplished. it being borne in mind that a constant vacuum is maintained in the mixing tank I.

It is almost essential that if, for any reason. the liquid level in either of the tanks 30 or 32 falls to an extremely low point where no liquid would be supplied to the mixing tank, the flow to the mixing tank should be cut oil. It is quite obvious that. in order to have a more or less full automatic structure, a continuous flow of the predetermined quantities of syrup and water should be maintained and if, for any reason, this continuous flow of one or the other should stop, de-

livery to the mixing tank should stop, otherwise the proportionate amounts of syrup and water threaded into a hollow boss 51. These electrodes project to different levels into the tank and the electrodes 53 and 54 are connected to a solenoid 58 (Fig. 4) controlling the operation of the valve 48. By this arrangement, when the liquid in the tank 32 falls below the electrode 54, a suitable relay is operated, controlling the circuit of the solenoid 58 which operates the solenoid to open the control valve 45 permitting the inflow of liquid to the tank. This inflow continues until the liquid level has reached its high point and contacts electrode 53. When contact is made with electrode 53, a relay is operated controlling the solenoid 58 which closes the circuit through the solenoid for the purpose of closing the valve 46 which remains closed until, as heretofore stated, the level drops below electrode 54.

The electrode 55, it is to be noted, projects almost to the bottom of the tank and when the liquid gets to this low point, it is reaching the danger mark. Therefore, the circuit arrangement is such that when the liquid drops below the electrode 55, a relay is operated, controlling a solenoid 59 which, in turn, controls a valve 43 and under these circumstances, the solenoid operates to shut the valve 43, therefore shutting off all supply of liquid from either tank to the mixing tank until the level of the liquid in the auxiliary or supply tank has been raised above the danger point. 01 course, as soon as the liquid level is raised to the point where it engages the end of the electrode 55, the valve 43 is opened and flow of the liquids into the tank may con- .tinue.

Under normal operations, with the liquid in both of the tanks above .the danger mark, the solenoid normally operates to maintain the valve 43 open.

It is to be noted that the above system provides for a steady and uniform flow of syrup and plain cold water, the two being calibrated to deliver a proper proportional amount, into a mixing tank, wherein a vacuum is maintained. The

.-mixed syrup and water is deaerated in the vacuum tank and after the deaeration of the mixture, this mixture is delivered to a carbonator where the mixture as a whole is carbonated and is then ready for delivery to the filling apparatus. As a result of this system, not only is the water for the beverage deaerated before carbonation but the syrup itself which it has been found coni tains considerable air, is deaerated, thus permitting the absorption, during the carbonating process, of a greater quantity of CO:- and, of course permits the absorption of the C0: more rapidly. As the result of the above process, not only is the'carbonation of the mixture facilitated, but, due to the fact that the syrup of the mixture is deaerated and absorbs the CO2, the keeping qualities of the beverage is materially increased. There is a tendency for the yeast cells to generate in the sugar, forming the base of the syrup. and this is accelerated by the presence of air in the syrup. With the removal of this air from the syrup and the absorption into the syrup of the CO2, the development of these cells in the sugar content of the syrup is largely prevented.

In Fig. 4, we have illustrated a schematic drawing of the circuit connection for controlling the various valves, heretofore described. In this drawing, it is to be noted that electrodes ,53 and 54 for the water tank are connected in a circuit 80 including the solenoid 58 which circuit also includes a relay I in turn connected to the supply lines 82. The electrode 55 is connected in a circuit including a relay ll in turn connected to the supply lines and controlling the operation oi solenoid II.

The syrup tank electrodes 51' and 5| are included in a circuit 04 which includes a solenoid II for the syrup tank valve, and this solenoid is included in the circuit of a relay '6 connected to the supply lines. The electrode 55' is included in thecircuit embracing themixing tank relay 63 so that this relay controls the mixing tank valve solenoid 55.

Through the medium of a hydrometer, not shown, enclosed in the glass casing 81 communieating with the tank I through the tube ll, we are provided with a visual check of the specific gravity of the mixture.

In Fig. 1, we have shown the carbonator at a higher elevation than the delivery pipe 52 and the bottom of the mixing tank. Accordingly. we have provided pump between the carbonator and the mixing tank which creates a vacuum or partial vacuum in the pipe -52 substantially equal to the vacuum in the mixing tank. It is obvious, of

course. that if desired the carbonator could be placed at a lower elevation than the bottom of the mixing tank. Under these circumstances the pump in the line I! may be dispensed with as the carbonator pump itself could be caused to create in the pipe 52 a vacuum or partial vacuum substantially equal to that of the mixing tank. Under these circumstances, gravity alone would be relied on for delivery'from the mixing tank to the carbonator.

We claim as our invention:

1. The method of preparing a carbonated beverage which consists in simultaneously flowing measured quantities of water and flavoring syrup ture while in its deaerated condition.

2. The method of preparing a carbonated beverage, including carbonated water and flavoring syrup, prior to its delivery to its ultimate containers, which consists in effecting a simultaneous flow of measured quantities of uncarbonated water and syrup into a container sealed against the ingress of air by creating in said container a partial vacuum to thereby cause said syrup and water to flow into the container under equal pressuresand to deaerate the water and syrup while in said container, mixing said water and syrup in said container while under said vacuum and then carbonating the mixture while. in its deaerated condition.

3. The method of preparing a carbonated beverage, including carbonated water and flavoring syrup, prior to its delivery to its ultimate containers, which consists in effecting a simultaneous flow of measured quantities of uncarbonated flavoring syrup and water into a container sealed against the ingress of air by creating a partial vacuum in said container to cause said syrup and water to flow into i the container under equal pressures and to deaerate the water and syrup,

filming said water and syrup as it passes through said container and then carbonating the mixed water and syrup while in its deaerated state.

4. The method of preparing a carbonated beverage, including carbonated water and flavoring syrup, prior to its delivery to its ultimate containers, which-consists in effecting the simultaneous flow of measured quantities of uncarbonated water and syrup into the top of a container sealed against the ingress of air by creating in said container a. partial vacuum to thereby cause said syrup and water to flow into the container under equal pressures, filming and mixing said water and syrup as it passes from the top to the bottom of said container, said partial vacuum in said container efl'ecting a deaeration of both said water and said syrup during its flow in film condition and then carbonating the mixture while in its deaerated condition.

JAMES 'KANTOR. EDWARD F. ROSENBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in-the file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 1,598,787 Shields et al Sept. 7. 1928- 1,768,158 Shields June 24, 1930 2,227,101 Meyer Dec. 31, 1940 2,252,313 Bostock Aug. 12, 1941 OTHER REFERENCES 7 54 and 57. 

